News release, Nov. 1, 2004

November 1, 2004.........................................................NEWS MEDIA ADVISORY
Career Expo and State Workforce Conference to be held in Columbus this week
ATLANTA - Jobseekers and workers interested in changing careers will have access to a wide array of valuable assistance next week when the Georgia Department of Labor hosts the 2004 Career Transition Expo in Columbus. The Expo will be held Wednesday, Nov. 3, from 9 a.m. until 3 p.m. in the South Hall of the Columbus Convention and Trade Center at 801 Front Ave. The expo is free and open to the public.
The Expo coincides with the 6th Annual Georgia Workforce Conference, which is also being held at the Convention and Trade Center. The conference opens Wednesday at 9:30 a.m. and continues through noon Thursday. About 1,500 workforce professionals from throughout the state are expected to attend.
A broad range of resources will be available at the Career Expo. For example, people who need a new resume will be able to consult one-on-one with Certified Professional Resume Writers, use computers with resume software, keep the disc with their new or updated resume, print copies of the resume, and fax a copy to a potential employer.
Eight career development workshops, designed to help people make wise choices and successfully pursue new careers, will be presented four times each throughout the day. For example, Cashing In on Skills That Pay is a workshop that will help people identify skills they may not realize they have, but that will help them transition into a new and better-paying career. Other workshops include:
Readying Your Resume for the Real World explains the dos and don'ts of resume writing;
Georgia's Hot Jobs Where and What explains how to choose a new career that offers the most potential;
Show Me the Money explains how to successfully negotiate your salary; The "How-Tos" of Starting Your Own Business explains what you need to know
to start your own business; Four Essential Steps to a New Career teaches creative and proven techniques of
beginning a new career; Moving From Military to Mainstream explains how veterans can successfully
transition to a civilian career, and Surf's Up! How to Access GDOL Services from Anywhere explains how to use
the self-help tools available on the labor department's Web site to plan and execute a successful job search or career change.
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EXPO AND CONFERENCE ADVISORY LAST ADD
The Expo will also provide computers with internet connectivity for online career research and job search, multi-lingual resources in almost any language, and printed and video information. Assistive technology will be provided and extensive information will be available from certified vocational counselors to help people with disabilities succeed in the workplace.
Labor department staff will be available to explain Georgia Works, an initiative that allows laid-off workers to continue to draw unemployment insurance benefits, while receiving on-site training with a potential full-time employer. In addition to the jobless benefits, the laid-off workers participating in the program may also qualify for a special training allowance to help defray some of the costs associated with training.
Parking will be available at the Convention and Trade Center, and continuous shuttle service will provide transportation between nearby public parking lots and the Expo.
The Georgia Workforce Conference will feature three general sessions and several workshops. Nationally-recognized economist Dr. Donald Ratajczak will give the keynote address at the opening general session at 9:30 a.m. Wednesday. The general session at 12:30 p.m. Wednesday will feature an address by James Yancey, chairman of the board of Synovus Financial Corp. Local business and education leaders will sign The Valley Promise following Yancey's speech. State Labor Commissioner Michael Thurmond will deliver the keynote address at Thursday's 10:30 a.m. closing session.
For additional information about the Career Transition Expo or Georgia Workforce Conference, contact the Georgia Department of Labor's Columbus Career Center at 700 Veterans Parkway, or call (706) 649-7423.
NEWS MEDIA SHOULD REGISTER AT THE MEDIA SIGN-IN SECTION OF THE CONERENCE REGISTRATION AREA TO RECEIVE A MEDIA BADGE. A TABLE WILL BE RESERVED FOR NEWS MEDIA AT THE THREE GENERAL SESSIONS AND MEDIA ARE INVITED TO HAVE LUNCH DURING THE 12:30 P.M. SESSION WEDNESDAY. AUDIO CONNECTIONS WILL BE PROVIDED FOR BROADCAST MEDIA.
NEWS MEDIA NEEDING ADDITIONAL INFORMATION SHOULD CONTACT THE GEORGIA DEPARTMENT OF LABOR'S COMMUNICATIONS OFFICE AT (404) 2323685.
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